(c.1989-91) Patrick James/Sullivan (lead vocal / guitar / harmonica / e-bow), Graham Judd (guitar), Ady Evans (bass), John Metcalfe (drums).
Band shoot at Waverley Abbey, later a location for “Hot Fuzz”…
This Aldershot based four-piece played The Rock Garden, London in July ’89 and supported Bradford, with Frantic, at the Buzz Club, West End Centre, Aldershot that November. That same year the bands “Believe” demo, which included ” “Note Turned Blue” “Salvation“, “Guiding Light” “Gold That Shines” and “Don’t Dare the Devil“, received rave reviews from Soundscene reviewers. On Valentines Day ’90 the band opened for Who’s the Spy? at the Palace, Aldershot
“Gold That Shines” went on to feature on Farnborough Groove Vol.1 in mid-91. They were gigging regularly on the local scene, including The George, Ash Vale; The Four Horseshoes, Camberley and The Cricketers, Westfield; plus a supporting slot at The West End Centre for Mega City Four and Ned’s Atomic Dustbin; and up into London. Blue Velvet were booked and showed up on 17 September ’91 at Ragamuffins, Camberley. At some point before the end of ’91 Judd had left the band and was replaced by Sid Stovold (guitar / b.vocals). The band appeared at the Army & Navy, Aldershot with Thieves of Dreams on 13 October ’91; followed by The Fighting Cocks, Bagshot who hosted the band and Thieves of Dreams on 9 November ’91. “Believe” was followed by “On the Eve of Tomorrow“, on which Jim O’Neil joined them on keyboards, for the recording of the eight tracks at Ghost Studios, Send in Nov / Dec ’91, with its electric and acoustic sides.
Blue Velvet’s “On The Eve of Tomorrow” demo cassette electric side 1. Source Sid StovoldBlue Velvet’s “On The Eve of Tomorrow” demo cassette acoustic side 2. Source Sid Stovold
On 9 February ’92, Blue Velvet returned to the Army & Navy; but, by this time Island Records offered encouragement but no contract. Eventually the band split, exhausted from bombing up and down motorways and gigging pretty much every other night for little reward. “Don’t Dare The Devil” from their first demo appeared on Son of Farnborough Groove Vol.2 in ’92, and “Shot Yourself Down” from the “On The Eve of Tomorrow” demo was published on Return of Farnborough Groove Vol.3. Blue Velvet played mostly original material at gigs, but they did cover the likes of Wonderstuff’s “Wish You Were Here“.
Blue Velvet’s track “Gold That Shines” also appeared on the limited edition (500 were pressed) Record Collector Magazine’s Rare Vinyl – Modern Collectables 3 [RCLPO18], in Jan 2016, titled: Small Town Scenery, Lost Indie Gems 1985-1995.
In 1993 “Falling Star” appeared on the ‘Never Heard of ‘Em’ compilation cassette; then their track “Gold That Shines” also appeared on the limited edition (500 were pressed) Record Collector Magazine’s Rare Vinyl – Modern Collectables 3 [RCLPO18], in Jan 2016, titled: Small Town Scenery, Lost Indie Gems 1985-1995.
Tracks:
Gallery:
Blue Velvet at Rock Garden, London in July 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet at Rock Garden, London in July 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet at Rock Garden, London in July 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet at Rock Garden, London in July 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet at Rock Garden, London in July 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet at Rock Garden, London in July 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet at Rock Garden, London in July 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet at Rock Garden, London in July 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet at Rock Garden, London in July 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet at Rock Garden, London in July 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet at Rock Garden, London in July 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet at Rock Garden, London in July 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet at Rock Garden, London in July 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet at Rock Garden, London in July 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet at Rock Garden, London in July 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet at Rock Garden, London in July 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet supporting Neds Atomic Dustbin and Mega City Four at The West End Centre…1990 Image Source: Pete Cole26 Oct 1989: Blue Velvet supported Bow, with The Candyage at the Fresh Club, Bull and Gate, Kentish Town. Source: Mick Mercer via BULL & GATE MEMORIES – remembering all who sailed in her musical tidal waveThe Gossville Arsonist fanzine’s one-line review of Blue Velvet track from The Son of Farnborough Groove Vol.2Blue Velvet @ Four Horseshoes, Camberley 1991Soundscene gig review from sometime in/around 1990.Blue Velvet headline Pete Cole and Co’s birthday Bash in 1991.Taken from a 1990’s Soundscene column – not the FT. Image Credit: Pete ColeBlue Velvet @ The George, Ash Vale 1989Blue Velvet @ The George, Ash Vale 1989Blue Velvet @ The George, Ash Vale 1989Blue Velvet performing at The Bull & Gate, Kentish Town in 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet performing at The Bull & Gate, Kentish Town in 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet performing at The Bull & Gate, Kentish Town in 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet performing at The Bull & Gate, Kentish Town in 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet performing at The Bull & Gate, Kentish Town in 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet performing at The Bull & Gate, Kentish Town in 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet performing at The Bull & Gate, Kentish Town in 1989. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet’s “Falling Star” appeared on the ‘Never Heard of ‘Em’ compilation cassette. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet’s set list from the 21 July 1991 gig at The George, Ash Vale. Source: TOD Thieves of Dreams26 October 1990: Blue Velvet were at the Bull & Gate, Kentish Town. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole1991: Blue Velvet dates for July & August. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole1989 Buzz Club FlyerBlue Velvet’s “Gold That Shines” was track 2 on the A-side of Farnborough Groove Vol.1. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeBlue Velvet’s “On The Eve of Tomorrow” demo cassette sleeve. Source Sid StovoldBlue Velvet at the Bull & Gate c’89. Source Graham Judd (on left with blue Fender Telecaster)Side B: “Believe”Side A “On The Eve of Tomorrow”Two demo’s on one cassetteA Blue Velvet audience, at The George, Ash Vale 1989
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